As I prepare for the launch of Black Pearl, I’m in deep brainstorming/outlining mode for book two. I’ve had in mind a certain way my cold case investigation series needs to go. I’m the boss, right? It’s my story, and as the creator, my characters do as I say.
Why then are my characters acting like teenagers and arguing with me every step of the way. Yesterday I spent the day transferring the scene in my head to the keyboard. Writing paragraphs, moving sentences around, I frowned the entire time because the inner voice that sits on my shoulder kept taunting, “Well, that’s not right. This isn’t working.”
I stubbornly moved another sentence around and gritted my teeth. “Yes it is. Be quiet.”
But at six p.m. as I shut down my laptop, I rolled my eyes and accepted defeat. “I think you’re right.”
“Told ya,” mocked the voice.
A plot is only as good as the characters. I may have a plot in mind, but as a character-driven author, my characters are in charge, not me. I’ve spent two years with my Cold Case Task Force, and I’m still learning about Lt. Everett T. Pope, Special Agent Brian DiPietro, Officer Allison Shannon and Special Agent Devon Taylor.
They’re no longer cardboard cutouts; they’re real to me. Moreover, they know how they’re going to react even if I don’t fully grasp it at the time. If I have them do something out of character, they tell me about it–rudely!
For purposes of book two, I’ve created a new character. I like her, but she’s in a heap of trouble. I wanted her to behave a certain way and take a certain path. But get this. Yesterday she told me she knows Lieutenant Pope from her years as a prosecutor. Well, I never saw THAT coming.
Who’s in charge around here? ::Author shakes head:: Certainly not me.
Available for preorder; Release date 11/8/19
I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one whose characters insist they know better than I do what should happen next! I thought I knew how the next story in my series would play out, but my amateur sleuth recently pointed out the error of my ways. Over the years, I’ve learned that it’s best to pay attention when that happens. =o) So back to square one, and working a completely different plot for her.
What a relief, Alexis. Well, not for you. But to know I’m not alone. I think listening to the characters makes for a better book. I once asked a colonel who was also a writer what he does when his characters don’t cooperate. He replied, “My characters always cooperate.” Next step to sign our characters up for boot camp 🙂
Donnell, haven’t you learned yet that we authors are mere scribes? Of course our characters are in charge. Just ask them. 😉
You’re right. First mistake not consulting them. 🙂
Oh Lordy, what comes out of their mouths. But they are usually right and I go with it.
I know! I don’t know WHY they can’t mind their own business 😉
Been there. Don’t you love it when they take on lives of their own?
Jillian, I do! These characters become so real. It’s fun to spend time with them 🙂 That sounds bad, doesn’t it? 🙂
This is SO me! I have always been a pantser with detailed dossiers of my protagonist and other main characters. Then I plop them into the inciting incident and let them run with it. The few times I’ve tried to plot things out ahead of time, they argue with me every step of the way!! I often know where they’ll end up and very often have the final scene written before I begin, but where they go in the interim is up to them. But now I’m writing a mystery and I have to have at least some kind of outline which has been hugely challenging and my character argued with me the whole way through the book.
Yes, Skye. I outline much more writing mystery than romance. I also research more! I know you do, too! Thanks for commenting and stopping by!
I feel for you Donnell. I had a character who, early in book 2, started to become an entirely different person. I wasn’t ready for that great a transition. I decided to make her a different character and reset the time frame so this book becomes the first in the series, with the original protag getting introduced in that new one. Sigh. So much work to do before I can put even one of them out there.
Ah, thanks, Claire. You know what they say about writing. It’s easy, you just open a vein and bleed. 🙂 I think it’s interesting to see a book in the beginning and what it turns out to be in the end. Good luck with your series! Thanks for dropping by!